When she was younger beauty queen Aimee McKay used to panic when she looked in the mirror and saw patches of her skin turn bright white.
The hairdresser, who suffers from vitiligo - an autoimmune disorder that causes skin to lose pigment -, spent her teenage years feeling insecure about her appearance. But over time Aimee grew to love her unique look and is now raising awareness of the condition by taking part in beauty pageants.
The 27-year-old, from Fairlie, Ayrshire, hopes her pageant success she will empower other young people to embrace their imperfections and realise beauty is only skin deep. Aimee, who was inspired by supermodel and fellow vitiligo sufferer, Winnie Harlow said: “I was just nine-years-old when the first wee white patch developed on my knee and it just kept spreading.
“I have it all over my body but it is worse on my hands and feet. All my fingertips are white and it looks like I am wearing fingerless gloves. It made me feel very self-conscious as a child and when I started High School I got in touch with The Red Cross which helped me get cover up make-up.
“I would put it on my knees and elbows and would apply a thick layer to my face to stop people staring. I tried every ointment under the sun and was even considering doing light therapy four days a week. It really knocked my confidence and I constantly felt insecure right up until my early twenties."
Aimee, who is married to Euan, 32, added: “Gradually over time I learned to feel comfortable with the way I looked and stopped trying as hard to hide the patches. I still wear fake tan but not to hide it. Feeling happy in my own skin and having my confidence back gave me the courage to enter a beauty pageant for the first time in my life aged 26.
“I was inspired by supermodel Winnie Harlow who is just stunning and has raised awareness of the condition across the world. Thanks to her there are now people with vitiligo modelling clothes on websites and in catalogues. I hope by becoming a beauty queen and embracing my imperfections I will encourage others to do the same.”
Aimee, whose courage and determination have earned her a Scotland’s Champions Award nomination in the Making A Difference category, is in the running to win the Miss Great Britain Glasgow crown.
She said: “I had never had the courage to enter a beauty pageant until I was scouted on Instagram and was sent an application form. I am the current Miss North Ayrshire and on July 30 I will take part in the Miss Great Britain Glasgow finals.
“If I win that I would represent Scotland in Miss Great Britain and the winner of that goes forward to the Miss Universe finals so it is all very exciting. It would be nice to represent my country but it is more important for me to use the pageant as a platform for raising vitiligo awareness as well as money for worthy causes.”
Aimee, who grew up in Irvine and in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, has been working tirelessly for a variety of charities since she was a child. Aged 11, she became an ambassador for actor David Hayman’s charity Spirit Aid - a role which saw her travel to Malawi to shoot a film about children orphaned by an HIV epidemic.
Aimee has also raised money for a diabetes charity and for a fund to send a little girl who suffers from cerebral palsy to travel to America to get life changing spinal surgery to allow her to walk.
And today Aimee will run the Race for Life 10K to raise money for Cancer Research UK. She said: “I have always loved raising money for charity and being involved with Spirit Aid was one of the best experiences of my life. I was brought up in a family who foster children from diverse backgrounds and a focus of mine has always been to show them that your background does not have to define you and that if you have determination you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.
“Just look at me, the girl who once hated people looking at her because she was different, now taking part in a beauty pageant.”
Aimee is already a winner as back in 2008 she won a Sunday Mail Young Scot Award for all her charity work and now 15 years later she is up for a Scotland’s Champion gong. She said: “I can’t believe I have been nominated. I feel honoured and humbled. I was only 11 when I won a Young Scot and it was one of the best nights of my life. I don’t do what I do for recognition. I just want to make other people feel good about themselves.”
Do you know someone as worthy as Aimee? As we continue our search for the unsung heroes of 2023 we want you to tell us about the people you know who selflessly go above and beyond to help friends, families and communities.
The awards will be handed out on September 16 at a glittering ceremony in the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central, attended by celebrities, sports stars, politicians and all the nominees.
The award categories
CARING CHAMPION
For individuals or teams who have made an outstanding contribution to the care of the people of Scotland. From NHS Scotland staff to people who work in the independent health and social care sectors - tell us about your caring heroes.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION
- in partnership with Utilita
This award celebrates an individual or group who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people within their local communities.
COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- in partnership with Stagecoach
Do you know a group that is supporting you or your community to thrive? Do you know an individual who is working on a project to better their community? Tell us all about it.
ENTERTAINMENT CHAMPION
When it comes to entertaining, Scotland is world class. From music and comedy to writing and performing, we lead the way. Let us know who you think deserves this title.
LITTLE CHAMPION - UNDER 16 YEARS OLD
- in partnership with XSite Braehead
Do you know an extraordinary young person whose achievements, amazing courage or bravery make your heart burst with pride? Has someone you know battled the odds?
MILITARY & EMERGENCY SERVICES CHAMPION
We want to know about the beat bobby who goes an extra mile, the firefighter or paramedic at the heart of a community and the outstanding service person who deserves to be honoured.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT CHAMPION
This award goes to someone who has made a contribution of outstanding significance in their field over a number of years.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD
- in partnership with Specsavers
This award is for an individual or group who has made a difference to somebody’s life or to their local community. It’s those little acts of human kindness that can often make the biggest impact.
SPORTING CHAMPION
For someone who has shown real dedication and determination within the sporting community.
SCOTLAND’S CHAMPION
One winner from the category award winners will be selected by the judging panel to receive the title of Scotland’s Champion.
To nominate go to www.scotlandschampions.co.uk
- Nominations close on June 26
